Hybrid pressure and thermal exchanger

ABSTRACT

An exchanger includes a seal; a first channel with an inlet and an outlet; a second channel alongside the first channel and isolated from the first channel by the seal, the second channel including an inlet and an outlet; and a transfer turbine including a first portion with one or more blades located within the first channel, a second portion with one or more blades located within the second channel, and a shaft connecting the first portion and the second portion such that rotation of the first portion is synchronized with rotation of the second portion, the shaft extending through the seal. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to US PatentApplication No. 62/087,298 filed Dec. 4, 2014, and claims priority to USPatent Application No. 62/160,025, filed May 12, 2015, the entirecontents of each of which is hereby expressly incorporated by referenceherein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to an exchanger forrecovering energy in the form of one or more of pressure energy,electrical energy, and/or thermal energy.

BACKGROUND

Many industrial processes operate at elevated pressures andtemperatures. These industrial processes often produce high-pressureand/or high-temperature waste streams. These industrial processes oftenrequire significant energy, both in terms of increasing input streampressure and temperature, which is both costly and inefficient. Thehigh-pressure and/or high-temperature waste streams representsignificant under-utilized potential energy. One example process thatoperates at elevated pressures and temperatures is desalination, whichcan utilize reverse osmosis under high pressure and/or utilize hightemperatures to create potable water.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, a system exchanges pressure and heat from a source streamto a sink stream. The system includes a source exchanger and a sinkexchanger. The source exchanger includes a first pressure exchanger anda first heat exchanger. The first pressure exchanger converts pressureof the source stream to electrical energy. The first heat exchangerconverts temperature from the source stream via a first temperaturedifferential to electrical energy. The sink exchanger includes a secondpressure exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The second pressureexchanger uses electrical energy received from the source exchanger tochange a pressure of the sink stream. The second heat exchanger useselectrical energy received from the source exchanger to change atemperature of the sink stream.

One or more of the following aspects can be included in any feasiblecombination. For example, the source exchanger can include a sourcejunction box combining electrical energy received from the firstpressure exchanger with electrical energy received from the first heatexchanger. The sink exchanger can include a sink junction boxdistributing a portion of electrical energy to the second pressureexchanger and distributing another portion of electrical energy to thesecond heat exchanger.

The first heat exchanger and/or the second heat exchanger can include aplurality of thermoelectric plates. Each thermoelectric plate caninclude a thermoelectric layer, gasket layers adjacent at least twosides of the thermoelectric layer, heat transfer layers adjacent thegasket layers such that the gasket layers separate the heat transferlayers from the thermoelectric layer, and one or more junction layers incontact with the thermoelectric layer. The thermoelectric layer and theone or more junction layers can be formed of a n-type and/or p-typematerial. The plurality of thermoelectric plates can be arranged in abox configuration. The plurality of thermoelectric plates can bearranged within a pipe and along an axial flow axis of the pipe. Thesource exchanger and sink exchanger can be non-proximal.

The subject matter described herein provides many technical advantages.For example, energy can be recovered and recycled in many processes andenvironments. The exchanger can be constructed simply, avoiding complexmechanical systems that require constant maintenance and upkeep.One-to-one exchange, one-to-many exchange, many-to-one exchange, andmany-to-many exchange can be possible, allowing for recovery and/orrecycling of energy in both pressure and thermal form. By recyclingpower, energy costs are reduced. Electrical heat and pressure transfercan be accomplished. Piping requirements can be reduced. The transfer ofenergy can be performed even while the source (e.g., a waste stream) andsink (e.g., an input stream) are non-proximal. Such non-proximalarrangements can enable energy transfer between hazardous environmentsor streams and clean environments or streams.

Further technical advantages may be achieved in some implementations.For example, fouling of components (e.g., heat transfer plates) may belimited, reduced, and/or eliminated through removable and/orself-cleaning elements. Vibrations, which may be common in some pressureand heat exchangers, can be reduced and/or eliminated. The currentsubject matter can be implemented in small and/or scalable units andwithout moving parts. Implementations can include cheaper and moreefficient systems through inexpensive materials, manufacturing methods,and simple construction. According to aspects of the current subjectmatter, streams with extreme temperatures and/or pressures can beconsidered as a resource. The current subject matter can be non-specificto or independent of flow materials. Some implementations allow for lowweight exchangers.

In another aspect, an exchanger includes a seal, a first channel, asecond channel, and a transfer turbine. The first channel includes aninlet and an outlet. The second channel is alongside the first channel,is isolated from the first channel by the seal, and the second channelincludes an inlet and an outlet. The transfer turbine includes a firstportion, a second portion, and a shaft. The first portion includes oneor more blades located within the first channel. The second portionincludes one or more blades located within the second channel. The shaftconnects the first portion and the second portion such that rotation ofthe first portion is synchronized with rotation of the second portion.The shaft extends through the seal.

In another aspect, an energy recycling system includes a pump and anexchanger. The pump increases pressure of an input stream to generate ahigh-pressure stream for use within a process. The process generates awaste stream having a pressure. The exchanger receives the waste stream,receives at least a portion of the input stream, and converts some ofthe waste stream pressure to the input stream to generate thehigh-pressure stream. The pressure exchanger includes a seal, a firstchannel, a second channel, and a transfer turbine. The first channelincludes an inlet receiving the waste stream and an outlet for the wastestream to exit the first channel. The second channel is alongside thefirst channel and isolated from the first channel by the seal. Thesecond channel includes an inlet receiving the input stream and anoutlet for the high-pressure stream to exit the second channel. Thetransfer turbine includes a first portion, a second portion, and ashaft. The first portion includes one or more blades located within thefirst channel. The second portion includes one or more blades locatedwithin the second channel. The shaft connects the first portion and thesecond portion such that rotation of the first portion is synchronizedwith rotation of the second portion. The shaft extends through the seal.

One or more of the following features can be included in any feasiblecombination. For example, an electrical generator stator can be includedadjacent the shaft of the transfer turbine. The shaft of the transferturbine can include a rotor, which, when rotated by stream flow in thefirst channel, induces electrical current. Force exerted on the bladesof the first portion of the transfer turbine by a high-pressure streamcan cause rotation of the blades of the second portion of the transferturbine, which can transfer pressure from the high-pressure stream to alow-pressure stream in the second channel.

A third channel can be adjacent the second channel and can include aninlet and an outlet, with a second seal between the second channel andthe third channel isolating the second channel and the third channel.The shaft can extend through the second channel and the second seal intothe third channel. The shaft can include a third portion includingblades and residing within the third channel such that rotation of thefirst portion is synchronized with rotation of the second portion andthe third portion. Force exerted on the blades of the first portion ofthe transfer turbine by a high-pressure stream entering the firstchannel inlet and exiting the first channel outlet causes rotation ofthe blades of the second portion of the transfer turbine, whichtransfers pressure from the high-pressure stream to a first low-pressurestream entering the second channel inlet and exiting the second channeloutlet, and also transfers pressure from the high-pressure stream to asecond low-pressure stream entering the third channel inlet and exitingthe third channel outlet.

The first channel can include a first pipe and the second channel caninclude a second pipe. The high-pressure stream can have a pressure thatis greater than a pressure of the low-pressure stream. The exchanger canreceive at least a portion of the input stream in parallel with thepump. The exchanger can receive at least a portion of the input streamin series with the pump.

The details of one or more variations of the subject matter describedherein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the descriptionbelow. Other features and advantages of the subject matter describedherein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from theclaims

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is system block diagram of a hybrid heat and pressure exchangersystem that can transfer heat and pressure by converting heat andpressure to electrical energy, then converting the electrical energyinto heat and pressure;

FIG. 2A is an illustration of an example pressure to electricalexchanger;

FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of a generator having propellersconfigured in a axial flow configuration;

FIG. 3 is an example implementation of a heat to electrical exchangerthat utilizes the thermoelectric effect;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of an example implementation of athermoelectric cooling plate;

FIG. 5 is cross sectional view of an alternative implementation of aheat to electrical exchanger;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating inputs and outputs toa distribution box for controlling a hybrid pressure and heat exchangersystem;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing systemaccording to the current subject matter;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an example exchanger;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example transfer turbine;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of an example exchanger fortransferring energy from one stream to many streams;

FIG. 11 is a system block diagram illustrating a desalinizationprocessing plant;

FIG. 12 is a system block diagram illustrating an example desalinizationsystem using an exchanger;

FIG. 13 is a system block diagram illustrating another exampledesalinization processing plant in which an exchanger is used to recycleenergy in electrical form for reuse in the plant; and

FIG. 14 is a system block diagram illustrating an exchanger operating torecycle energy in an office building.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The current subject matter can include an exchanger for transferring orexchanging energy from a high-temperature and pressurized stream toanother lower temperature and lower pressure stream. The energytransferred can be either thermal, mechanical (in the form of pressure),or both (e.g., a hybrid exchange). In some implementations, exchange isindirect, for example, pressure and heat from a source can be converted(using, for example, turbines/generators and thermoelectric generators)into electrical energy, which can be distributed to a sink to change thesink's pressure and heat (using, for example, the electrical energy todrive pumps/motors and thermoelectric generators). The current subjectmatter can be compact, inexpensive, and can be applied to recycle energyin many applications involving high-temperature and pressurized fluidstreams.

FIG. 1 is system block diagram of a hybrid heat and pressure exchanger(PHX) system 100 that can transfer heat and pressure by converting heatand pressure to electrical energy, then converting the electrical energyinto heat and pressure. The PHX system 100 includes a source exchanger105, a sink exchanger 110, and a distribution box 115. The sourceexchanger 105 can convert pressure and temperature from a source stream120 to electrical energy. The sink exchanger 110 can convert electricalenergy into pressure and temperature, which can be imparted into sinkstream 125. The distribution box 115 can direct the electrical energyfrom the source exchanger 105 to the sink exchanger 110 and, in someimplementations, control operations of each of the source exchanger 105and sink exchanger 110.

Source exchanger 105 includes a pressure to electrical exchanger (P2EX)130, heat to electrical exchanger (H2EX) 135, and junction box 140connected to P2EX 130 and H2EX 135 via pressure electrical line 145 andheat electrical line 150, respectively. P2EX 130 receives the source instream 120 and converts energy in the form of pressure into electricalenergy. P2EX 130 can produce intermediate stream having a pressure,which is lower in pressure than the source in stream 120. P2EX 130 caninclude a turbine and/or hydroelectric generator, for example, asillustrated in FIG. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of an example P2EX 130, which can comprise acyclone 205 that spins propellers to produce electrical energy in aradial flow configuration, and FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of agenerator having propellers configured in a axial flow configuration.The electrical energy converted by P2EX 130 can be characterized by:

$P_{th} = \frac{\Delta \; {Pm}}{1000({SG})}$

Where P_(th) is the energy of source in stream 125 in kilowatts, ΔP isthe change in pressure between the source in stream 120 and theintermediate stream 155, m is the mass-flow rate in kilograms persecond, and SG is the specific gravity of the stream. The efficiency ofconversion can be characterized by:

$\eta = \frac{P_{Break}}{P_{th}}$

Where η is efficiency and P_(Break) is work performed. Efficienciesachieved can be between 85% and 95% in some implementations.

Referring again to FIG. 1, H2EX 135 receives the intermediate stream 155and converts thermal energy to electrical energy. H2EX 135 can produce asource out stream 160, which may be used in other processes as desired,and has a different pressure and temperature than source in stream 125.II2EX 135 can leverage the thermoelectric effect to directly converttemperature differences into electric voltage/current. For example, FIG.3 is an example implementation of a H2EX 135 that utilizes thethermoelectric effect.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an example H2EX 135 taking the shape of abox with multiple thermoelectric cooling (TEC) plates 305. The platesare arrange parallel to stream flow so that fluid flows past each plate,which raises the temperature on the plate surface thereby creating atemperature differential and generating electrical energy. The platescan be easily removable for cleaning and replacement or repair. Thedimensions of the plates, the number of plates, and their arrangementcan vary based on the application.

FIG. 4 is a cross section of an example implementation of a TEC plate305. The TEC plates 305 include a TEC layer 405 between two gasketlayers 410, which are between two heat transfer layers 415. Junctionlayers 420 can form the top and bottom of the plate, which can be formedof the same material as TEC layer 405. The TEC layer 405 may be adheredto the two gasket layers 410, which may be adhered to the two heattransfer layers 415. The TEC layer 405 can include n-type and one p-typeelements placed thermally in parallel to each other and electrically inseries. An example TEC layer 405 material can include Bismuth Telluride(Bi₂Te₃), although other materials are possible such as materialsallowing for thermionic transmission based on the Edison effect. Thegasket layers 410 serve to separate TEC layer 405 and heat transferlayers 415. In some implementations, the gasket layers 410 may alsoinclude TEC materials. The heat transfer layers 415 can include athermally conductive material, such as aluminum, to improve heattransfer. When the TEC plate 305 is in the H2EX 135, high temperature(e.g., hot) fluid flows on either side of the transfer layers 415, whichcauses a temperature differential, which causes charge carriers in thematerial n-type and p-type materials to diffuse from the hot side (e.g.,the transfer layers 415, to the cold side (e.g., junction layer 420).These charge carriers produce electrical current (or voltage).

An example suitable TEC layer 405 is available from Hebi I.T. Co. Ltd.,Shanghai, China, unit no. TEC1-12730.

The voltage generated when the temperatures of transfer layers 415 andjunction layer 420 are different can be characterized by:

V_(i) = k_(T)(T − T_(REF)), V_(Total) = ∑ V_(i)${Z = \frac{s^{2}}{\rho_{k}}},{{EMF} = {{- s}\; {\nabla\; T}}},{\rho = \frac{1}{\sigma}}$

Where Z is figure of merit (effectiveness of the thermoelectricmaterial); i is the plate number where there are multiple plates in theH2EX 135, s is Seebeck coefficient, k_(T) is thermal conductivity, ρ_(k)is electrical resistivity, V is voltage, and T_(REF) is temperaturereference.

In some implementations, a piezoelectric layer 425 may be included inthe TEC plate 305. The piezoelectric layer 425 may reside within (e g ,surrounded on at least two sides by the TEC layer 405 and may serve toconvert changes in pressure to electrical energy. For example,piezoelectric layer 425 can include piezoelectric ceramics that, whenmechanically activated with pressure or vibration, have capacity togenerate electric voltages. The piezoelectric layer 425 can includemultiple layers of piezoelectric ceramics alternated with electrodes.The piezoelectric layer 425 can serve as another electric current sourcethat transfers energy from pressure to electrical form. A TEC plate 305having a piezoelectric layer 425 can supply more electrical energy.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an alternative implementation ofH2EX 135 taking the shape of a pipe with multiple TEC plates 500extending from the pipe wall towards the center of the pipe. Each TECplate 500 has a TEC layer 505 surrounded by a transfer layer 510 andjunction layer 515.

Referring again to FIG. 1, as the source stream 120 flows through thesource exchanger 105, P2EX 130 and H2EX 135 can produce electrical power(e.g., as described above), and junction box 140 can combine theelectrical power and provides the combined power to the distribution box115 via source electrical line 165. In some implementations,distribution box 115 can receive additional electrical power fromadditional sources 170, which can include one or more additional sourceexchanger 105 units, although additional sources 170 can include anyelectrical source.

Distribution box 115 can distribute the received electrical power tosink exchanger 110 via sink electrical line 175. Sink exchanger 110receives the electrical power at junction box 180, which redirects anappropriate portion of the electrical power to electrical to pressureexchanger (E2PX) 185 and to electrical to heat exchanger (E2HX) 190using pressure electrical line 182 and heat electrical line 184,respectively. In some implementations, distribution box 115 candistribute the received electrical power to additional sinks 197, whichcan include one or more additional sink exchanger 110 units.

E2PX 185 uses the electrical energy received from junction box 180 toincrease the pressure of sink stream 125. E2PX 185 can include a pump, amotor, and/or turbo generator, which can convert electrical energy tomechanical (e.g., pressure). E2PX 185 may be similar in structure toP2EX 130, although may be configured differently to convert electricalenergy to pressure. E2PX 185 produces an intermediate sink stream 187,which has a higher pressure than sink in stream 125.

E2HX 190 uses the electrical energy received from junction box 180 tochange the temperature of the intermediate sink stream 187 to producesink out stream 195. The temperature change may either increase ordecrease the temperature of the intermediate sink stream 187. E2HX 190can include a thermoelectric cooler (also referred to as athermoelectric heater, heat pump, and the like) and may include similarstructure to H2EX 135 (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS. 3-5),although may be configured differently to convert electrical energy totemperature change. In some implementations, and depending on theapplication, E2HX 190 is the same as II2EX 135 while in otherimplementations E2IIX 190 can include different sized and shaped TECplates 305, and can include a different number of TEC plates 305, whichcan be removable or fixed within the E2HX 190 unit.

In some implementations, the PHX system 100 can include one or moreenergy storage modules 199 to store and/or access energy so that energymay not be transferred immediately (e.g., PHX 100 may store energy forlater use and/or resale to a utility grid) or additional energy may berequired to change the pressure or heat of the source in or sink instreams (120, 125) than can be exchanged between the streams. Energystorage module 199 can include a battery or other energy storage device.Distribution box 115 may also be connected to a utility grid to supplyadditional power as needed.

Thus, PHX system 100 takes source in stream 120 and produces source outstream 160 having a different (e.g., lower or higher) pressure anddifferent (e.g., lower or higher) temperature than source in stream 120while also taking sink in stream 125 and producing sink out stream 195having a different (e.g., lower or higher) pressure and different (e.g.,lower or higher) temperature than sink in stream 125. It is contemplatedthat the PHX system 100 is not limited to exchanging energy solely usinghigh-pressure high-temperature source streams and low-pressurelow-temperature sink streams but can transfer energy between ahigh-pressure low-temperature source stream and a low-pressure andhigh-temperature sink stream, vice versus, or any combination of theapproaches described herein, such that different types of energy may betransferred between streams according to a given implementation.

In some implementations, distribution box 115 serves as a systemcontroller. The distribution box 115 can determine capacity andoperating parameters of PIIX system 100 and can cause or cause toinitiate change within source exchanger 105 and/or sink exchanger 110.Distribution box 115 can perform a ratings analysis and determine heattransfer rates and/or pressure changes. For example, FIG. 6 is afunctional block diagram 600 illustrating inputs and outputs to adistribution box 115 for controlling PHX system 100. As illustrated inFIG. 6, inputs include stream flow rates, temperatures, pressures,exchanger configurations, fluid properties, and fouling factors. Outputscan include an outlet temperature (length fixed), length (duty fixed),and pressure changes or drops. The various determinations for aplate-type heat exchanger (e.g., for H2EX 135 and/or E2HX 190 ) can becharacterized by:

Q = A₀U₀Δ T_(LMTD)  (heat  transfer)Q = mC_(p)Δ T  (heat  load)${LMTD} = {\frac{\left( {T_{1} - t_{2}} \right) - \left( {T_{2} - t_{1}} \right)}{\ln \left( \frac{\left( {T_{1} - t_{2}} \right)}{\left( {T_{2} - t_{1}} \right)} \right)}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{Log}\mspace{14mu} {Mean}\mspace{14mu} {Temperature}\mspace{14mu} {Difference}} \right)}$${Re} = \frac{d_{h}\rho \; V}{\mu}$$d_{h} = \frac{4\; A_{c}}{P_{w}}$$j = {\left( \frac{h}{C_{p}\rho \; V} \right)\left( \frac{C_{p}\mu}{k} \right)^{\frac{2}{3}}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{Colburn}\mspace{14mu} {factor}\mspace{14mu} {for}\mspace{14mu} {comparison}} \right)}$$f = {\frac{2\; \Delta \; p\; d_{h}}{4\; \rho \; V^{2}L}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{friction}\mspace{14mu} {factor}} \right)}$$C_{p} = \left( \frac{kJ}{{Kg}*C} \right)$d_(h) = hyd.  diameter  (mm) Δ p = pressure  drop  (Pa)μ = dynamic  viscousity  (Pa * s)$\rho = {{density}\mspace{14mu} \left( \frac{kg}{m^{3}} \right)}$$h = {{coefficient}\mspace{14mu} \left( \frac{w}{m^{2}*C} \right)}$$k = {{conductivity}\mspace{14mu} \left( \frac{w}{m*C} \right)}$$V = {{velocity}\mspace{14mu} \left( \frac{m}{s} \right)}$P_(w) = wetted  parameter  (m)A_(c) = Cross  section  area  (m²)U = overall  heat  transfer  coefficient

The distribution box 115 can include one or more intelligent modules,such as machine learning or artificial intelligence algorithms includingbut not limited to support vector machines, neural networks, Bayesiandecision making algorithms, rules engines, and the like. The intelligentmodules can adjust components of the PHX system 100, such as rate offlow of the source in stream 120 and sink in stream 125, as well as howmuch energy to exchange between the streams. In some implementations,the intelligent modules can determine whether to store or access energyfrom the energy storage module 199. The intelligent modules can receivedata from one or more sensors characterizing conditions related to theenvironment of the PHX system 100, for example, the industrialenvironment, and make appropriate adjustments to the PHX system 100.

Distribution box 115 may also serve to determine system pinch point. Forexample, pinch analysis is a methodology for minimizing energyconsumption of chemical processes by calculating thermodynamicallyfeasible energy targets (or minimum energy consumption) and achievingthem by optimizing heat recovery systems, energy supply methods andprocess operating conditions. A set of streams can be represented as afunction of heat load against temperature. This data can be combined forall the streams in a given facility or plant to characterize allhigh-temperature streams and all low-temperature streams. The point ofclosest approach is the pinch point with a hot stream pinch temperatureand a cold stream pinch temperature.

Distribution box 115 may also be controlled remotely, for example, usinga data network, such as in the case where pinch analysis is performed byanother control module.

As used herein, “high-pressure” and “low-pressure” stream implies thatthe high-pressure stream pressure is greater than the low-pressurestream although the current subject matter may not be limited byrelative values, instead, “high-pressure” can be considered as a streamthat will have a reduction in pressure energy (e.g., releases pressureenergy) and “low-pressure” can be considered as a stream that will havean increase in pressure energy (e.g., requiring pressure energy). Thecurrent subject matter is not limited to specific pressure values,unless indicated otherwise. In addition, “high-temperature” and“low-temperature” implies that the high-temperature stream has atemperature that is greater than the low-temperature stream although thecurrent subject matter may not be limited by relative values, instead“high-temperature” can be considered as a stream that will have areduction in thermal energy (e.g., releases heat) and “low-temperature”can be considered as a stream that will have an increase in thermalenergy (e.g., requires heat). The current subject matter is not limitedto specific temperature values, unless indicated otherwise.

In some implementations, the PHX 100 can be operated continuously suchthat energy is transferred continuously or the PHX 100 can be operateddiscretely such that energy is transferred only during discrete periods.

In some implementations, the PHX 100 does not directly transfer energybetween streams, for example, a temperature-to-temperature transfer or apressure-to-pressure transfer, without converting to electrical energyas an intermediate form of energy.

Some implementations of the current subject matter include a simulatorfor computing heat transfer rates consistent with the above-expressions.The transfer is by PHX system 100 for use in configuring a facility witha PHX system 100. In some implementations, the simulator can beconfigured to be implemented in a system 700, as shown in FIG. 7. Thesystem 700 can include one or more of a processor 710, a memory 720, astorage device 730, and an input/output device 740. Each of thecomponents 710, 720, 730 and 740 can be interconnected using a systembus 750. The processor 710 can be configured to process instructions forexecution within the system 700. In some implementations, the processor710 can be a single-threaded processor. In alternate implementations,the processor 710 can be a multi-threaded processor. The processor 710can be further configured to process instructions stored in the memory720 or on the storage device 730, including receiving or sendinginformation through the input/output device 740. The memory 720 canstore information within the system 700. In some implementations, thememory 720 can be a computer-readable medium. In alternateimplementations, the memory 720 can be a volatile memory unit. In yetsome implementations, the memory 720 can be a non-volatile memory unit.The storage device 730 can be capable of providing mass storage for thesystem 700. In some implementations, the storage device 730 can be acomputer-readable medium. In alternate implementations, the storagedevice 730 can be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an opticaldisk device, a tape device, non-volatile solid state memory, or anyother type of storage device. The input/output device 740 can beconfigured to provide input/output operations for the system 700. Insome implementations, the input/output device 740 can include a keyboardand/or pointing device. In alternate implementations, the input/outputdevice 740 can include a display unit for displaying graphical userinterfaces.

Although a few variations have been described in detail above, othermodifications or additions are possible. For example, TEC plate sizes(height, width, length of its various layers), geometries, types (e.g.,parallel plate, shell-in-tube, and the like), and configurations canvary. PHX systems 100 can be used in a variety of industrial processesfor recycling energy.

Example Pressure Exchanger

The current subject matter can include an exchanger for transferring orexchanging energy from a pressurized fluid stream to another lowerpressure fluid stream, or to electricity, or to both. The currentsubject matter can be compact, inexpensive, and can be applied torecycle energy in many applications involving pressurized fluid streams.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an example exchanger 800 accordingto the current subject matter. The exchanger 800 includes high-pressurechannel 805 and adjacent low-pressure channel 810, each of which caninclude pipes formed of a suitable material, such as industrial gradesteel. The high-pressure channel 805 includes inlet 807 and outlet 809.The low-pressure channel 810 includes inlet 802 and outlet 814.

Exchanger 800 includes transfer turbine 815 having shaft 820 or rotorassembly connecting first portion 825 and second portion 830. FIG. 9 isa perspective view of an example implementation of transfer turbine 815.The first portion 825 includes blades 835, such as a propeller orbucket, connected to shaft 820 and residing within the high-pressurechannel 805. The second portion 830 includes blades 840, such as apropeller or bucket, connected to shaft 820 and residing within thelow-pressure channel 810. A seal 845 can reside between thehigh-pressure channel 805 and low-pressure channel 810 isolating thehigh-pressure channel 805 and the low-pressure channel 810 to preventmixing of fluid in the high-pressure channel 805 and fluid in thelow-pressure channel 810. The transfer turbine 815 can be configured forradial flow or axial flow. The fluids flowing through the exchanger 800can include liquid, gas, and/or a slurry or mixture of liquid, gas,and/or solids. The transfer turbine 815 can be impulse or mixed.

Exchanger 800 can also include an electrical generator stator 850 formedinto walls between high-pressure channel 805 and low-pressure channel810. A corresponding electric generator rotor 855 can be included on theshaft 820 of the transfer turbine 815.

In operation, a high-pressure stream of fluid can flow through thehigh-pressure channel 805, which imparts a force on the blades 835 ofthe first portion 825, rotating the blades 835. This, in turn, causesthe shaft 820 to rotate, which causes the blades 840 of the secondportion 830 to rotate synchronized with rotation of the first portion825. The second portion 830 can rotate to increase a pressure of alow-pressure fluid flowing through low-pressure channel 810. Thus,mechanical energy in the form of pressure from a high-pressure fluidstream flowing through the high-pressure channel 805 can be transferredto a low-pressure fluid stream flowing through the low-pressure channel810.

In addition to pressure-to-pressure exchange, exchanger 800 can transfermechanical energy in the form of pressure to electrical energy in apressure-to-electrical exchange. The high-pressure stream of fluid canflow through high-pressure channel 805, which imports force on blades835 and causes shaft 820 to rotate. Electrical generator rotor 855rotates with shaft 820 and, in combination with electrical generatorstator 850, can generate electrical energy.

In some implementations, the electrical generator stator 850 can bedriven by an electrical input as a motor, which causes the shaft 820 andassociated first portion 825 and second portion 830 to rotate. Thus, thecurrent subject matter can serve as a pump in some applications.

FIG. 10 is an example implementation of an exchanger 1000 transferringenergy from one stream to many streams. The exchanger 1000 includes ahigh-pressure channel 805, a low-pressure channel 810, and a secondlow-pressure channel 1005. The second low-pressure channel includes aninlet 1007 and an outlet 1009. A second seal 1010 can reside between thefirst low-pressure channel 810 and the second low-pressure channel 1005isolating the low-pressure channel 810 and the second low-pressurechannel 1005 to prevent mixing of fluid in the low-pressure channel 810and fluid in the second low-pressure channel 1005.

The shaft 820 can extend into the second low-pressure channel 1005through the second seal 1010 and can include a third portion 1015 withblades 1020. Rotation of any of the portions (e.g., first portion 825,second portion 830, and third portion 1015) results in rotation of theshaft 820, which synchronizes rotation of all of the portions (e.g.,first portion 825, second portion 830, and third portion 1015) and theircorresponding blades.

In operation, force exerted on the blades 835 of the first portion 825of the transfer turbine 815 by a high-pressure stream entering the firstchannel inlet 807 and exiting the first channel outlet 809 causesrotation of the blades 840 of the second portion 830 of the transferturbine 815, which transfers pressure from the high-pressure stream to afirst low-pressure stream entering the second channel inlet 812 andexiting the second channel outlet 814. Pressure is also transferred fromthe high-pressure stream to a second low-pressure stream entering thethird channel inlet 1007 and exiting the third channel outlet 1009. Insome implementations, the current subject matter can also include amany-to-many exchange (e.g., multiple high-pressure channels andmultiple low-pressure channels) and a many-to-one exchange (e.g.,multiple high-pressure channels and one low-pressure channel).

One example application for an exchanger 800 can include adesalinization processing plant using reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosisis performed using very high fluid pressures. FIG. 11 is a system blockdiagram illustrating a known implementation of a desalinizationprocessing plant 1100. An input stream 1105, usually seawater, isbrought into the plant and fed into a first pump 1110, which raises theinput stream 1105 pressure to create an intermediate-pressure stream1115 (illustrated in FIG. 11 as having a 2-unit pressure). Theintermediate-pressure stream 1115 splits, a portion of which feeds intoa second pump 1120 and a portion feeds into pressure exchanger 1125. Thesecond pump 1120 creates high-pressure stream 1145 (illustrated ashaving a 10-unit pressure) for input into reverse osmosis plant 1130,which desalinates the high-pressure stream creating output stream 1135of potable water and waste stream 1140 having high concentrations ofsalt. Waste stream 1140 is still at a relatively high pressure(illustrated as having an 8-unit pressure) and feeds into pressureexchanger 1125, which transfers pressure from waste stream 1140 tointermediate-pressure stream 1115 to create a secondintermediate-pressure stream 1150 (illustrated as having an 8-unitpressure) thereby recycling the pressure of the waste stream 1140.

A third pump 1155 increases the pressure of the second intermediatestream 1150 and outputs the stream to the high-pressure stream 1145. Butin order to have sufficient throughput, the desalinization system ofFIG. 11 requires many pressure exchangers 1125 operating in parallel,which in turn requires dedicated piping, which increases costs andreduces efficiencies because the greater piping length used by a system,the greater energy required by system pumps to appropriately pressurizethe system.

FIG. 12 is a system block diagram illustrating an example implementationof a desalinization system 1200 using an exchanger 800, for example, asdescribed in FIG. 8. The desalinization system 1200 may require fewerpumps, pipes, and exchangers than the system illustrated in FIG. 11 andtherefore is more efficient and cost effective. Additionally, the inputstream 1205 of water having high salt content, such as seawater, inputsin parallel to a pump 1210 and to exchanger 800. Specifically, the inputstream 1205 feeds to inlet 812 of low-pressure channel 810.

Pump 1210 outputs a high-pressure stream 1215, which feeds into reverseosmosis plant 1220, which desalinates the high-pressure stream creatingoutput stream 1225 of potable water and waste stream 1230 having highconcentrations of salt. Waste stream 1230 is still at a relatively highpressure and feeds into exchanger 800. Specifically, waste stream 1230feeds into inlet 807 of the high-pressure channel 805. Waste stream 1230causes rotation of the transfer turbine 815, which transfers pressurefrom waste stream 1230 to input stream 1205 to create the high-pressurestream 1215. High-pressure stream 1215 feeds out of outlet 814 of thelow-pressure channel 810 and combines with the output of pump 1210thereby recycling the pressure of the waste stream 1230. The wastestream 1230 feeds out of outlet 809 of high-pressure channel 805 and canbe discarded.

FIG. 13 is a system block diagram illustrating another exampledesalinization processing plant 1300 configuration in which exchanger800 is used to recycle energy in electrical form for reuse in the plant1300. The desalinization processing plant 1300 may require fewer pumps,pipes, and exchangers than the system illustrated in FIG. 11 andtherefore is more efficient and cost effective.

Input stream 1305 of water having high salt content, such as seawater,inputs to a pump 1310. Pump 1310 outputs a high-pressure stream 1315,which feeds into reverse osmosis plant 1320, which desalinates thehigh-pressure stream creating output stream 1325 of potable water andwaste stream 1330 having high concentrations of salt. Waste stream 1330is still at a relatively high pressure and feeds into exchanger 800.Specifically, waste stream 1230 feeds into inlet 807 of thehigh-pressure channel 805. Waste stream 1230 causes rotation of thetransfer turbine 815, which causes the electric generator rotor 855 torotate.

Exchanger 800 can generate electrical energy or power throughinteraction of the rotating electric generator rotor 855 and stator 850.The exchanger 800 can produce electrical power, 1335, which can feedinto pump 1310 in order to operate pump 1310 thereby recycling theenergy from the high-pressure waste stream 1330. In someimplementations, the power 1335 can be used for other purposes, such asfeeding back into a utility grid for remote consumption. Waste stream1330 feeds out of outlet 809 of high-pressure channel 805 and can bediscarded.

The current subject matter can be used in many different applications inpart because some implementations of the exchanger 800 can be compactand inexpensive. Thus, some applications previously too expensive to bepractical are possible with the current subject matter. For example,FIG. 14 is a system block diagram illustrating an exchanger 800operating to recycle energy in an office building 1400. Office building1400 may be hundreds of feet tall (if not taller). In order to providewater for facilities such as restrooms and kitchens, a pump 1410 mustpump an input stream 1405 to a given floor for consumption. Some officebuildings have reservoirs 1415 near the top of the building 1400 thatsupply water to the entire building. Energy from wastewater stream 1420exiting the office building 1400 can be recycled using an exchanger 800.Specifically, input stream 1405 can feed into low-pressure channel 810and wastewater stream 1420 can feed into high-pressure channel 805. Thewastewater stream 1420 can cause rotation of the transfer turbine, whichcan transfer pressure from the wastewater stream 1420 to the inputstream 1405. Such a configuration can save energy and recover some ofthe energy required to pump water to the top of a building.

The subject matter described herein provides many technical advantages.For example, energy can be recovered and recycled in many processes andenvironments. The exchanger can be constructed simply, avoiding complexmechanical systems that require constant maintenance and upkeep.One-to-one exchange or one-to-many exchange can he possible, allowingfor recovery of energy in both pressure and electric form. The currentsubject matter can prevent mixing between high-pressure and low-pressurestreams, eliminating contamination between input and waste streams.Moreover, by recycling power, energy costs are reduced.

One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described hereincan be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware,software, and/or combinations thereof. These various aspects or featurescan include implementation in one or more computer programs that areexecutable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including atleast one programmable processor, which can be special or generalpurpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmitdata and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device,and at least one output device. The programmable system or computingsystem may include clients and servers. A client and server aregenerally remote from each other and typically interact through acommunication network. The relationship of client and server arises byvirtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship to each other.

These computer programs, which can also be referred to as programs,software, software applications, applications, components, or code,include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can beimplemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-orientedprogramming language, a functional programming language, a logicalprogramming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As usedherein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computerprogram product, apparatus and/or device, such as for example magneticdiscs, optical disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs),used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmableprocessor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machineinstructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readablesignal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/ordata to a programmable processor. The machine-readable medium can storesuch machine instructions non-transitorily, such as for example as woulda non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or anyequivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium can alternativelyor additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner,such as for example as would a processor cache or other random accessmemory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at leastone of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list ofelements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of twoor more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitlycontradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase isintended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually orany of the recited elements or features in combination with any of theother recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at leastone of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are eachintended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similarinterpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items.For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more ofA, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, Balone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, orA and B and C together.” In addition, use of the term “based on,” aboveand in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” suchthat an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems,apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desiredconfiguration. The implementations set forth in the foregoingdescription do not represent all implementations consistent with thesubject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examplesconsistent with aspects related to the described subject matter.Although a few variations have been described in detail above, othermodifications or additions are possible. In particular, further featuresand/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein.For example, the implementations described above can be directed tovarious combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed featuresand/or combinations and subcombinations of several further featuresdisclosed above. In addition, the logic flows depicted in theaccompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily requirethe particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. Other implementations may be within the scope of the followingclaims.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. An exchanger comprising: a seal; a first channelwith an inlet and an outlet; a second channel alongside the firstchannel and isolated from the first channel by the seal, the secondchannel including an inlet and an outlet; and a transfer turbinecomprising: a first portion with one or more blades located within thefirst channel; a second portion with one or more blades located withinthe second channel; and a shaft connecting the first portion and thesecond portion such that rotation of the first portion is synchronizedwith rotation of the second portion, the shaft extending through theseal.
 13. The exchanger of claim 12, further comprising: an electricalgenerator stator adjacent the shaft of the transfer turbine; wherein theshaft of the transfer turbine includes a rotor, which, when rotated bystream flow in the first channel, induces electrical current.
 14. Theexchanger of claim 12, wherein force exerted on the blades of the firstportion of the transfer turbine by a high-pressure stream causesrotation of the blades of the second portion of the transfer turbine,which transfers pressure from the high-pressure stream to a low-pressurestream in the second channel.
 15. The exchanger of claim 12, furthercomprising: a third channel adjacent the second channel and including aninlet, and an outlet, with a second seal between the second channel andthe third channel isolating the second channel and the third channel.16. The exchanger of claim 15, wherein the shaft extends through thesecond channel and the second seal into the third channel, the shaftfurther including a third portion including blades and within the thirdchannel such that rotation of the first portion is synchronized withrotation of the second portion and the third portion.
 17. The exchangerof claim 16, wherein force exerted on the blades of the first portion ofthe transfer turbine by a high-pressure stream entering the firstchannel inlet and exiting the first channel outlet causes rotation ofthe blades of the second portion of the transfer turbine, whichtransfers pressure from the high-pressure stream to a first low-pressurestream entering the second channel inlet and exiting the second channeloutlet, and also transfers pressure from the high-pressure stream to asecond low-pressure stream entering the third channel inlet and exitingthe third channel outlet.
 18. The exchanger of claim 12, wherein thefirst channel comprises a first pipe and the second channel comprises asecond pipe.
 19. The exchanger of claim 12, wherein the high-pressurestream has a pressure that is greater than a pressure of thelow-pressure stream.
 20. An energy recycling system comprising: a pumpconfigured to increase pressure of an input stream to generate ahigh-pressure stream for use within a process, the process generating awaste stream having a pressure; and an exchanger configured to receivethe waste stream and receive at least a portion of the input stream, theexchanger configured to convert some of the waste stream pressure to theinput stream to generate the high-pressure stream, the exchangercomprising: a seal a first channel with an inlet configured to receivethe waste stream and an outlet for the waste stream to exit the firstchannel; a second channel alongside the first channel and isolated fromthe first channel by the seal, the second channel including an inletconfigured to receive the input stream and an outlet for thehigh-pressure stream to exit the second channel; and a transfer turbinecomprising: a first portion with one or more blades located within thefirst channel; a second portion with one or more blades located withinthe second channel; and a shaft connecting the first portion and thesecond portion such that rotation of the first portion is synchronizedwith rotation of the second portion, the shaft extending through theseal.
 21. The system of claim 20, the exchanger further comprising: anelectrical generator stator adjacent the shaft of the transfer turbine;wherein the shaft of the transfer turbine includes a rotor, which, whenrotated by the waste stream in the first channel, induces electricalcurrent in the electrical generator stator.
 22. The system of claim 20,wherein force exerted on the blades of the first portion of the transferturbine by the waste stream causes rotation of the blades of the secondportion of the transfer turbine, which transfers pressure from the wastestream to the input stream in the second channel to create thehigh-pressure stream.
 23. The system of claim 20, the exchanger furthercomprising: a third channel adjacent the second channel and including aninlet, and an outlet, with a second seal between the second channel andthe third channel isolating the second channel and the third channel.24. The system of claim 23, wherein the shaft extends through the secondchannel and the second seal into the third channel, the shaft furtherincluding a third portion including blades and within the third channelsuch that rotation of the first portion is synchronized with rotation ofthe second portion and the third portion.
 25. The system of claim 24,wherein force exerted on the blades of the first portion of the transferturbine by the waste stream entering the first channel inlet and exitingthe first channel outlet causes rotation of the blades of the secondportion of the transfer turbine, which transfers pressure from the wastestream to the input stream entering the second channel inlet andgenerating the high-pressure stream exiting the second channel outlet,and also transfers pressure from the waste stream to a second inputstream entering the third channel inlet and generating a secondhigh-pressure stream exiting the third channel outlet.
 26. The system ofclaim 20, wherein the first channel comprises a first pipe and thesecond channel comprises a second pipe.
 27. The system of claim 20,wherein the high-pressure stream has a pressure that is greater than apressure of the low-pressure stream.
 28. The system of claim 20, whereinthe exchanger receives at least a portion of the input stream inparallel with the pump.
 29. The system of claim 20, wherein theexchanger receives at least a portion of the input stream in series withthe pump.
 30. (canceled)